Sunday, March 27, 2011

I just bought this beauty this afternoon. I was debating what new hobby I should start, and I knew it had to be some kind of art or craft. I've always wanted a sewing machine. My mom's was never in operation while growing up, and all I really sewed were tiny pillows by hand. So this "Singer Stylist" is a luxury that I splurged on, in hopes that I will create really cool things.

This week was a milestone week in my pregnancy because since Tuesday, I can feel the baby moving! I am still stunned that on Monday, I couldn't feel a thing. Then all of a sudden on Tuesday, I felt every flutter, kick, and punch! It is so reassuring to feel those little movements because it is a consistent daily reminder that the baby is okay :) I didn't expect to feel him/her quite so soon, as I'm still not very big, and it can happen anywhere from 15-26 weeks. I am so glad I can now! It is amazing to feel spontaneous movement coming from inside, from some tiny little legs or arms.

Steve has been limping around yesterday and today with an injured foot. He isn't sure if something is broken, sprained, or if he has an infection, but he really can't walk. So I've been worried. (I worry much more than he does about anything). If it's not one thing, it's another, right?

and to finish: a little bio of Ivy puppy, who brings us so much laughter.
favorite people food: popcorn and goldfish crackers.
favorite activities: going for long walks, running as fast as she can in giant circles, waiting in the driver's seat for us to return to the car from a store, playing ball, watching out the window for us to come home, and chewing Nylabone.
best quality: unconditional love.
most anticipated event: becoming a big sister.
favorite color: green, of course.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

I subbed three days for an 8th grade language arts teacher. The 8th graders were very easy and self-sufficient. I taught 6th and 7th grade grammar as well. The most difficult part about subbing is that I feel like a stranger in the room. I was sooo tired by Wednesday afternoon. But I guess the kids liked me, as I had two students attempt to add me on Facebook. :)

On Wednesday night, we went to Texas Roadhouse with one of Steve's coworkers and her husband, who have been married since October. They are a lot of fun to be around, and they are in a similar stage as us: they're preparing to move to Boston at the end of the summer so she can start law school. On Friday night, we went out with another couple and their 3-year-old girl and 8-month-old baby girl. After dinner together, they invited us back to their townhome for coffee and a game. Steve and I left their place saying to each other, "Why are we finding these good friends right before we are moving away?"

The dinner that we had on Friday night was a Lenten fish fry at one of the Catholic churches. This is my year as a pretend Catholic, I suppose. I have been to my first Catholic wedding, three masses, I sub exclusively at a Catholic school, and now I am attending Friday night fish dinners. Haha.

For St. Patrick's Day, I made a green cake with green Cool Whip mint frosting (that tasted like a shamrock shake) and a layer of fudge topping in-between. It was really delicious. However, this week my weight spiked a little bit more than I wished, so I am learning to be more cautious. At the beginning of the pregnancy, I was really picky with what food I wanted. And I was lenient with myself because I knew my appetite would eventually return and I could eat healthier fare. But now, I'm realizing I need to step up my game a little and start forcing some vegetables and whole grains down. Yesterday I gave up fries and bacon as well, as they've become a slight problem. ((Side note about bacon, we made a couple trips to Subway this week for BLTs, and I found out that Friday night, our Subway (in a good neighborhood nearby) was robbed at gunpoint. This just adds to my paranoia about how unsafe this town has been.))

I am trying to teach myself how to sleep on only my left side or my right side, because back and stomach are now bad for the baby. This week, I can feel where he/she is, and I hope one of these days, I'll be able to see the bump! We have our monthly appointment tomorrow afternoon, so that's exciting :)

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Our trip to Chicago was so well worth it. We were able to see everyone that I had the goal to reconnect with, even though two days went by speedily. My friendships were really solidified. And now I can go on feeling more confident that these relationships will withstand time and distance. One thing Steve and I really enjoyed was spending time with two young, Christian, married couples who understand us and relate to us so well. It was refreshing. And it was fun to see three of our friends as parents, knowing we'll be joining that club soon.

Today, I subbed in 2 year-old preschool. I wasn't quite willing to go this young (I had done 3 & 4 year-olds reluctantly already). But I was asked, so I'll try anything once. I somehow managed to make it the whole time without having to change a diaper. But I won't be that lucky on Friday, when they asked me back. The best part of today was a little boy named Ryan, who bonded with me when I sat down to play cars with him. I was flattered because even though he was a boy's boy, he wanted to stay by my side for the rest of the day, holding my hand and sitting on my lap at times. He called me his friend and got jealous if other kids tried to sit on my lap or steal my attention. So this adorable Ryan, and many of the other boys in these preschool and kindergarten classes that have really liked me, reassure me that if this baby inside is a boy, I will be so thrilled. This is surprising, because for a long time I didn't know what I would do with a boy, having grown up without males in my house. There's a quote on one of the ending episodes of "Friends" where Monica says to her baby boy, "I am going to love you so much, no girl is ever going to be good enough for you." I feel this way.

I just got home from CVS, where I purchased 8 boxes of prenatal vitamins. They only last 30 days, so these will carry me through the pregnancy. They were $7 (about half off), instead of the $16 One-A-Day name brand. I feel like I got such a steal! I hope the baby is enjoying my Cool-Whip & Jello love right now. I made pistachio Jello salad and a berry Jello/Oreo pie yesterday which have been extra delicious to me.

On to watch some Tuesday night TV, and maybe an episode of Charlie's Angels when Steve gets home from night class. We are almost done with watching the original first season from 1976--I love it. Farrah's hair, their cars, their clothes, female crime-solving: fantastic.